At Weng Dehai's residence, in the dining room of a private courtyard, a round table was laden with various delicacies and several bottles of aged Maotai.
Weng Dehai, Chen Xingwang, Li Xingfa, Zheng Hongye, Yang Tongsheng, and several others were already seated around the dining table. They hadn't touched their chopsticks, instead turning their heads in unison to look at Yao Xiangming, who was on the phone in the corridor outside the entrance.
"So, that kid Wan Yunting isn't simple!"
Meanwhile, at the Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Association office, in the chairman's office, Sima Wentang was seated, listening to his proud disciple Yao Xiangming recount the medical duel held at Huadu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine that afternoon. Upon hearing that Wan Yunting had won and successfully become the vice-chairman of their Lingnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, Sima Wentang's expression turned grim.
"I'm sorry, Teacher. I was careless."
Yao Xiangming apologized sincerely, admitting he had been a bit careless that afternoon.
"Alright, no need to dwell on that."
Sima Wentang wasn't overly concerned. His reason for sending Yao Xiangming was merely to give Gu Yuanbai and his associates a bit of a hard time.
"Xiangming, you'll temporarily stay in Huadu City and investigate that Wan Yunting thoroughly."
Sima Wentang frowned and continued, "I had Zhuo Wenwei investigate him and discovered his medical skills were learned in Huadu Prison. This is highly suspicious!"
"Yes, I heard about that too."
Yao Xiangming nodded. Before he arrived, Weng Dehai and the others had mentioned Wan Yunting's background. He added, "The acupuncture technique he displayed this afternoon was very peculiar!"
"Oh? Tell me about it."
Yao Xiangming then proceeded to describe in detail the acupoints and methods Wan Yunting used when saving Wang Linzhi, the needles he inserted into the patient. Sima Wentang raised an eyebrow, also puzzled, "Acupuncture at the Tongue's Lower Sea Spring acupoint, could it be the 'Piercing Heaven Qi Circulation' needle technique?"
Yao Xiangming shook his head, saying, "I don't think so. If it were the 'Piercing Heaven Qi Circulation' technique, it wouldn't have achieved such results!"
Sima Wentang also nodded, unable to figure out what needle technique Wan Yunting was using at that moment. After all, they had never witnessed the Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles. Sima Wentang was barely born during the era of the Ghost Hand Medical Sage.
"Xiangming, for now, you will lead Weng Dehai and the others in Huadu City to continue maintaining our Traditional Chinese Medicine Association."
Sima Wentang temporarily set aside those thoughts and returned to the main topic, saying, "Gu Yuanbai establishing the Lingnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, isn't he just trying to be a local overlord? Then I'll see how he manages without support from above!"
Yao Xiangming nodded, understanding that his teacher intended to use his connections to suppress Gu Yuanbai and his group.
After hanging up the phone, Yao Xiangming returned. Weng Dehai, Chen Xingwang, and the others immediately stood up. "How did it go, Xiangming? What did Chairman Wentang say?"
Yao Xiangming didn't stand on ceremony, directly taking the central seat and waving his hand at Weng Dehai and the others. "Sit down first."
Weng Dehai and Li Xingfa exchanged glances before taking their seats. Yao Xiangming picked up a bottle of Maotai nearby, a smile playing on his lips as he turned to Weng Dehai, who was seated beside him. "The Chairman said that you, Elder Weng, will serve as the President of the Huadu City Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, and Mr. Yang will be the Vice President!"
These words caused Weng Dehai's old face to stiffen. He couldn't help but exchange glances with Yang Tongsheng, who was sitting opposite him. Both of them felt a surge of excitement.
"Regarding Gu Yuanbai and their Lingnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, my teacher absolutely will not tolerate it, so he will use his connections to suppress them!"
Yao Xiangming glanced left and right at Weng Dehai and Yang Tongsheng, then chuckled, "It will be up to you, President Weng, to manage the affairs of the association here. At the same time, you need to increase efforts to win over members in Huadu City and other places, attracting more people to join us. As long as we grow stronger, we will naturally crush Gu Yuanbai and his group. Do you understand?"
"Understood..."
Weng Dehai, Yang Tongsheng, Chen Xingwang, and the others all nodded, their hearts filled with excitement. Zheng Hongye cautiously asked, "Did Chairman Wentang mention how much effort we should exert?"
Yao Xiangming picked up a small wine glass and poured himself a full cup. A faint smile touched his lips as he knew what they were thinking. "As long as it helps deal with Gu Yuanbai and his group, no matter the conditions, the Chairman will support it!"
"That's great..."
This greatly uplifted Zheng Hongye and Chen Xingwang.
Yao Xiangming downed his glass in one gulp, then gently placed it on the table with a slight force. His narrowed eyes lifted, sweeping over Weng Dehai and Yang Tongsheng. His tone turned cold as he said, "However, you must remember, if you take the money, you must do good work. Don't disappoint the Chairman!"
Weng Dehai and the others stiffened slightly, then promptly raised their wine glasses and called out to Yao Xiangming sonorously, "Please rest assured, Chairman Wentang. We will give our all and absolutely will not let Gu Yuanbai and his group gain any momentum."
Seeing their declaration, Yao Xiangming nodded with a smile, said no more, and picked up his chopsticks to eat...
Meanwhile, at Gu Yuanbai's residence.
"Come, let us toast Chairman Gu, and Vice Chairman Wan..."
In an open space in the back garden, eight tables were laid out with wine and dishes, arranged by Gu Yuanbai's butler, Lu Hong. The reason for not holding the event outside was to maintain a low profile.
"Come, come, come..."
At this moment, everyone stood up, raising their wine glasses to toast. Gu Yuanbai and Wan Yunting stood up. Gu Yuanbai said, "Everyone, you are all elders of our association, as well as talented young individuals and the backbone of the association's younger generation. This toast is from me to all of you."
Wan Yunting sat at a table with Gu Luotang, Qi Miaomiao, Song Sinan, Huang Jingshan, Shen Yingrui, and other young people. He raised his wine glass to clink with everyone else's, then also raised his glass to Lu Xin Jue and the others at the next table, and to Gu Yuanbai and Jiang Yichun. After that, everyone downed the wine in their cups.
"Alright, everyone, please sit down and eat. Let's talk while we eat."
After finishing the wine, Gu Yuanbai asked everyone to sit down. Wan Yunting, Ding Zipeng, and the others didn't hesitate and began to eat.
"Vice Chairman Wan, let's make a deal first."
At this moment, Huang Jingshan raised his wine glass and stood up, smiling at Wan Yunting. "Each and every one of us here will toast you with a cup, and you can't refuse!"
Wan Yunting, who was eating, looked up at him, then turned to look at the dozens of young men and women sitting beside him, including Gu Luotang and Shen Yingrui. He couldn't help but laugh.
"Hey, I think you're doing this on purpose," Qi Miaomiao said, knowing Huang Jingshan intended to get Wan Yunting drunk. "With so many people, if you drink a cup from each, my Brother Yunting will drink himself to death."
Huang Jingshan nodded proudly with a sly smile. "Well, we don't care about that. We just want to know if you, Wan Yunting, dare to do it!"
"That's right, Vice Chairman Wan can't back down!" Miao Yanzheng, Ding Zipeng, and others chimed in with encouragement.
"Drink, drink, drink..." Lu Xin Jue and the others at the next table also started shouting. Even the older generation, like Gu Yuanbai, Jiang Yichun, and Song Chengqi, at their table, smiled as they watched the young people playfully drinking.
Instantly, Wan Yunting picked up his wine glass and stood up, saying with a smile to Huang Jingshan, "It's just a daily drink, isn't it? Do you dare to go a round with me?"
Huang Jingshan's expression froze. Looking at the more than fifty people present, if he had to drink one cup each, how much wine would he have to consume?
"Haha, Huang Jingshan, you're not scared, are you?" Ding Zipeng, who loved to stir up trouble, started teasing him. Everyone else also burst into laughter.
"What am I scared of? It's just drinking. Come on." Bound by face, Huang Jingshan had no choice but to bravely step up.
Wan Yunting smirked and immediately held his wine glass, first smiling at Gu Luotang beside him. "Come on, Luotang, I'll start with you."
Gu Luotang's pretty face was stunned. She couldn't help but say worriedly, "You guys better not drink anymore..."